Agency - Accountability and Responsibility
Free to Choose Liberty - 2 Nephi Chapter 1-2, Counsel to Laman, Lemuel, Opposition in all things, the fall of Adam, The fall of Lucifer, Free Agency
Show the class a variety of seeds - If I plant a given type of seed what type of plant will grow?
Decisions really do determine our destiny... Video Monson
Many people consider this the ability to choose. However it is more than that and there are certain conditions and requirements that are necessary before we can exercise our Agency. Let us read together
Attention Activity: Choices and their Consequences
D&C 6:33Show the class a variety of seeds - If I plant a given type of seed what type of plant will grow?
Decisions really do determine our destiny... Video Monson
How do our decisions determine our final destiny?
Today we are going to talk about this question... and the principles concening it.What is Moral Agency?
Many people consider this the ability to choose. However it is more than that and there are certain conditions and requirements that are necessary before we can exercise our Agency. Let us read together
2 Nephi 2:5-30
and look at this principle the scriptures are so plain they speak for themselves!Summary of the doctrine of Moral Agency: Video Christopherson
1. There must be knowledge about what is right and what is wrong 2 Nephi 2:5
2. There must be opposition/choices that are available to choose from 2 Nephi 2:11
3. They have the opportunity to actually make the choice 2 Nephi 2:16
4. They are free to choose Liberty or Captivity 2 Nephi 2:27
2 Nephi 2:5 Men are instructed that they know good from evil - by the law no flesh is justified - by the law they are cut off and perish2. There must be opposition/choices that are available to choose from 2 Nephi 2:11
3. They have the opportunity to actually make the choice 2 Nephi 2:16
4. They are free to choose Liberty or Captivity 2 Nephi 2:27
The Light of Christ - your Conscience and more!
Every individual has a natural understanding of what is right and what is wrong - a Conscience, D&C 84:45-47 (Light of Christ)
The Light of Christ
The spirit of Christ is given to every man - that he may know good from evil Moroni 7:16, 18, Alma 42:18-21
The Light of Christ
is not a personage
- it is a Power/Law that fills the immensity of space that govens and enlightens all things D&C 88:7-13The spirit of Christ is given to every man - that he may know good from evil Moroni 7:16, 18, Alma 42:18-21
By the law men are cut off from the presence of God!
All mankind are in a fallen state - all are lost because all have sinned Alma 34:9, Alma 42:9-14
2 Nephi 2:6-8 There must be an atonement made - Jesus Christ offereth himself - to answer the ends of the law
There must be an Atonement Made - to satisfy the demands of justice and Mercy
It is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice - and the reasoning why! Alma 34:10-16
In order to fulfill the law of Moses - to bring salvation unto all - to satisfy mercy and Justice!
Without the atonement of Christ or the man who rebels it is
In order to fulfill the law of Moses - to bring salvation unto all - to satisfy mercy and Justice!
Without the atonement of Christ or the man who rebels it is
as if there were no atonement
Mosiah 16:4-5,7-82 Nephi 2:9-10 Because of his intercession for all - all men come unto God to be judged
All mankind will retun to God to be Judged - Justice and Mercy perfectly fulfilled!
Justice and Mercy are fulfilled (Alma 34:10-16)
Reward and Punishment are applied
Reward and Punishment are applied
2 Nephi 2:11-13 There is an opposition in all things or else they are not
There is a righteousness/wickedness death/resurrection - there is a
Real Truth/Good/Evil
it is not subjective/culturalThe world teaches that "Good"/"Evil" is subjective based upon the culture in which we live.. .is it?
No!This plainly teaches that there is a true opposition in all things - and that there is a true Good/Evil not just a subjective one!
This would destroy the wisdom of God
If ye say there is no law - there is no sin
if there is no sin there is no righteousness
if there is no righteousness there is no punishment or misery
If there is no God then we are not.
If ye say there is no law - there is no sin
if there is no sin there is no righteousness
if there is no righteousness there is no punishment or misery
If there is no God then we are not.
What a great explanation of the reality of Good/Evil/Wickedness/Righteousness etc.!
Is it just that the sinner should be punished?
Alma 42:15-26God is not "Responsible" for our actions because he made us!
Some have said that they do things - because God made them that way... is this the case?
D&C 93:27-32 - Man is etenal - he is not created - he was organized and placed in a spirit Body
He is responsible for his agency and his choices - not GOD!
It is there is a law affixed and a punishment to that law - each of us break the law and are justly punished
It is only through his "Grace" that we are saved after doing as he has required, (article of faith #4)
He is responsible for his agency and his choices - not GOD!
It is there is a law affixed and a punishment to that law - each of us break the law and are justly punished
It is only through his "Grace" that we are saved after doing as he has required, (article of faith #4)
2 Nephi 2:14 There is a God and he has created all things to act and to be acted upon
2 Nephi 2:15-20 The fall of Adam -
2 Nephi 2:15-20 The fall of Adam -
was to bring about his purposes and was ordained of God
Alma 42:2-12Tree of Life / Tree of knowledge of Good and evil - opposition
God allowed man to act for himself - choice required
Devil - fell from heaven - after having sought that which was evil before God
God allowed man to act for himself - choice required
Devil - fell from heaven - after having sought that which was evil before God
The devil is Real - he is a son of God and seeks the misery of all mankind!
Did the devil make them do it?
No! They chose as do we.He seeks the misery of all mankind - therefore he tempted Adam and Eve
Could the devil have destroyed the agency of man? NO
it was a lie (D&C 93:29-31 there is no existence without Agency)After they partook they were driven out - and brought for mankind
The fall of Adam was in accordance to the Plan of God
Many have taught that the fall of Adam was a terrible thing - and that God never desired them to fall
That because of Adam we are in this terrible state - and that he is the cause of all this suffering... is that the case? No
That because of Adam we are in this terrible state - and that he is the cause of all this suffering... is that the case? No
2 Nephi 2:21-25 Days of Men prolonged - probationary period
If Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen - all things remain as created
They would have had no children - being innocent
All things done in God's wisdom
According to this doctrine - there was no death before the fall - and all the earth was in a Telestial state.
Then when the fall of man occured - there was a change wherein death and canality entered.
This does not match up with the picture of the creation taught by Science today.
The creation of the Earth - LDS Doctrine
"Joseph Smith also discovered that the Creation was the result of organization. During the Nauvoo period, he continued to speak about the Creation in terms of organization. William Clayton, the Prophet’s private secretary, reported Joseph Smith as saying in 1841, “This earth was organized or formed out of other planets which were broke up and remodeled and made into the one on which we live.” In the famed King Follett discourse, delivered at general conference in April 1844, Joseph Smith presented an extensive treatise on creation as organization. He told the Saints that the word create comes from the Hebrew word baurau[bara], which means to organize, and that “God had materials to organize the world out of chaos … [which] may be organized and reorganized but not destroyed.”
It teaches that there was no fall of man - and thus never a need for a redeemer.
It teaches that we are not children of god - but rather intelligent animals
It teaches that the stories of creation are those of a frenzied Mind - derangement and ignoring of facts Alma 30:16
It teaches that every man should "fare acording to the management of the creature" Alma 30:17
It teaches that when a man is dead that is the end Alma 30:18
#1. There is great evidence and compelling evidence that the human genome did originate or was mirrored in the genome of primates!
#2. It is not possible to prove either way if there was a purposeful manipulation of the code of life in the creation of man or the animals to date.
#3. The idea of an intelligent design is impossible to prove either way - yet seems to me to be a viable altenative to the evidence provided.
#4. There are many issues in evolution that are not fully explained - which is why it is still a theory - even though much of it has been proven beyond a resonable doubt.
A great book - from a professor of Utah Valley University - Relics of Eden - Powerful evidence of Evolution in the Human DNA
They would have had no children - being innocent
All things done in God's wisdom
How does evolution fit into this picture of things?
According to this doctrine - there was no death before the fall - and all the earth was in a Telestial state.
Then when the fall of man occured - there was a change wherein death and canality entered.
This does not match up with the picture of the creation taught by Science today.
Joseph Smith taught that this earth was Organized from pre-existant materials and planets
The creation of the Earth - LDS Doctrine
Ensign January 1989
"Joseph Smith also discovered that the Creation was the result of organization. During the Nauvoo period, he continued to speak about the Creation in terms of organization. William Clayton, the Prophet’s private secretary, reported Joseph Smith as saying in 1841, “This earth was organized or formed out of other planets which were broke up and remodeled and made into the one on which we live.” In the famed King Follett discourse, delivered at general conference in April 1844, Joseph Smith presented an extensive treatise on creation as organization. He told the Saints that the word create comes from the Hebrew word baurau[bara], which means to organize, and that “God had materials to organize the world out of chaos … [which] may be organized and reorganized but not destroyed.”
Why I'm not a fan of evolutionary theory as taught: Yet I believe in evolution somewhat...
It teaches that there was no fall of man - and thus never a need for a redeemer.
It teaches that we are not children of god - but rather intelligent animals
It Teaches the Doctrine of Korihor
It teaches that the stories of creation are those of a frenzied Mind - derangement and ignoring of facts Alma 30:16
It teaches that every man should "fare acording to the management of the creature" Alma 30:17
It teaches that when a man is dead that is the end Alma 30:18
We do not have the full facts concening how the creation occured - nor do we know exactly how Adam was made
.#1. There is great evidence and compelling evidence that the human genome did originate or was mirrored in the genome of primates!
#2. It is not possible to prove either way if there was a purposeful manipulation of the code of life in the creation of man or the animals to date.
#3. The idea of an intelligent design is impossible to prove either way - yet seems to me to be a viable altenative to the evidence provided.
#4. There are many issues in evolution that are not fully explained - which is why it is still a theory - even though much of it has been proven beyond a resonable doubt.
The statistical probability of there not being some form of evolution or intelligent design is so close to zero to be zero in my opinion
A great book - from a professor of Utah Valley University - Relics of Eden - Powerful evidence of Evolution in the Human DNA
We just don't know enough to explain or resolve these issues.
2 Nephi 2:26-29 Messiah comes to redeem the children of men from the fall
They are free knowing good from evil to act for themselves
They are free to choose liberty or death
We should choose life!
They are free to choose liberty or death
We should choose life!
Summary of the doctrine of Moral Agency: Review...
1. There must be knowledge about what is right and what is wrong 2 Nephi 2:5
2. There must be opposition/choices that are available to choose from 2 Nephi 2:11
3. They have the opportunity to actually make the choice 2 Nephi 2:16
4. They are free to choose Liberty or Captivity 2 Nephi 2:27
2. There must be opposition/choices that are available to choose from 2 Nephi 2:11
3. They have the opportunity to actually make the choice 2 Nephi 2:16
4. They are free to choose Liberty or Captivity 2 Nephi 2:27
Conclusion:
This is one of the clearest teachings concening the need for a savior, the atonement and why it was required, agency, accountability, and how justice and mercy are fulfilled in the Plan of Salvation. This chapter as well as Alma 34, 42 bring such greater knowledge to us concening how and why there is a need for the savor as well as our responsibility to accept and obey in order to be saved! It is yet again another testimony that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and through his translation of this great work we have another Testament of Jesus Christ that clarifies and makes plain and simple the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
What is the Doctrine - What the church teaches about agency
Moral Agency - Choices do mater - Free to choose but responsible for our choices
War in Heaven continues today - concening the freedom of men
The great test of Life - is if we will hearken and obey God's Commands - Ensign October 2005
Winning the war against Evil - Ensign October 2008
And none shall offend them - Ensign October 2006
Obedience to Law is Liberty - Ensign April 2013
Moral Agency - Defined and explained - Ensign June 2009
Decisions determine Destiny - November 6 2005
Using our Free Agency - April 1975